Improvement in clasps



J. R. SGHOALS.

Clasp.

No. 208,270. Patented 8ept.'24,1878.

UNITED STATES PATENT GEEICE.

JOHN R'. SCHOALS, OF BOSTON, ASSIGNOR TO MARTIN WYOABR, OF y SOMERVILLE, AND HIRAM W. BROOKS, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

-IMPROVEMENT IN CLASPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 208,270, dated September 24, 1878; application filed February 2, 1878.

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN R. SCHOALS, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Olasps for Supporting Garments and other purposes,which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a front elevation of a clasp elnbodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the piece of metal as cut out, ready to be bent up into the shape shown in Figs. l and 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical section, showing a slight modification.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

This invention is a clasp intended to support or hold stockings, napkins, or garments, or materials of any kind where it will be of service.

In constructing this clasp a flat piece of metal is cut out 'into substantially the shape shown in Fig. 3. The piece is provided with two parallel slots, b b, near the center, a small slot, c, about one-half the distance between the center and'one end, and a raised piece or catch, d, which is cut upon three of its sides from the main piece, one side remaining uncut. The piece is bent into the shape shown in Figs. l and 2, forming front and rear spring sides or jaws a and a'. By thus bending the piece of metal the slots b b are brought opposite each other, and take the place of the ring or loop which ordinarily'has to be provided for suspending the clasp from or attachingit to a tape or other article. The piece d is bent into a catch shape, as seen in Fig. 2, and extends through the slot c, catching over its lower edge.

Then the clasp is holding an article the spring sides a a are pressed together until the spring-catch d passes through theslot c and catches upon the edge. When the article is to be released the hooked end of the catch d is simply pressed up with the thumb or finger nail, and the spring sides a a iiy apart.

In Fig. 4 the catch d is made of a separate piece of metal and riveted to the back of the spring side a', passing through a hole in the same, and operating the same as in Figs. l and 2.

Of course, the spring sides may be of any convenient general shape. The catch d may be arranged to catch upon any edge of the slot c other than the lower edge, if desired.

I am aware of the existence of Letters Patent N o. 145,097, granted December 2, 1873, to Joseph H. Eastman, for an improved clasp. I do not claim anything shown in that invention. The jaws in said invention are held together by means of a double-headed slide, which would not be used in connection with my device.

Having thus fully described my invention,

whatI claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The clasp above described, consisting of a piece of met-al of the shape shown in the drawing, having spring sides a and a', the side a provided with the catch d, of apiece with said side, or securely and immovably fixed thereto, said catch being bent inward and arranged to catch over the edge of the slot c in the spring side a, for the purpose of holding theteeth at the lower ends of the jaws together, substantially as set forth.

JOHN B. SOHOALS.

Titnesses HENRY W. NVILLIAMS, JOHN E. FRENNING. 

